The natural excretions of the organism can give information about various disorders and diseases due to their nature. In this regard, foul-smelling or stinking urine or urine represents an important criterion.
What is foul-smelling urine?
Foul-smelling urine is a clear indication of various health impairments. Foul-smelling urine is a clear indicator of various health impairments. In most cases, foul-smelling urine is noticed by the affected person and often triggers a visit to the doctor. Stinking urine also plays a central role in the diagnosis of diseases without painful symptoms. Thus, foul-smelling urine can also reveal previously hidden diseases. Unpleasant smelling urine occurs as a result of bacterial decomposition of excreted substances. Normally, fresh urine is odorless. Only the occurrence of a bacterial infection or other causes can lead to the development of malodorous urine.
Causes
The causes leading to the occurrence of foul-smelling urine can usually be quickly clarified by modern diagnostic means. Foul-smelling urine is a clear natural indication from the body that it is either a metabolic disorder or an infectious disease of the urinary tract. In addition, individual tumors of the bladder are responsible for causing foul-smelling urine. Ingestion of some foods, which include asparagus, for example, can also cause foul-smelling urine. Foul-smelling urine is typical in the case of a derailment of the metabolism in relation to a present diabetes. The urine may then have a strong fruity odor. In this situation, specialists diagnose a diabetic metabolic derailment.
Diseases with this symptom
- Maple syrup disease
- Metabolic disorder
- Urinary tract infection
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Dehydration
Complications
A smelly urine can be due to a metabolic derailment or infection of the urinary tract, these can have various complications. Fruity sweet smelling urine is indicative of diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes leads to blockage of small vessels, especially in the area of the eye, the nerves and the kidney. The affected person may go blind (diabetic retinopathy), which severely impairs the quality of life. Another consequence could be kidney failure (diabetic nephropathy). Damage to the nerves leads to a sensory disturbance, which manifests itself particularly in the area of the foot. Smaller wounds are no longer perceived by the affected person. These can enlarge and eventually become infected. In the course of time, the foot dies and, in the worst case, has to be amputated (diabetic foot). A urinary tract infection causes urine that smells of ammonia. If left untreated, the urinary tract infection can spread throughout the entire organism, leading to urosepsis. This condition must be treated immediately with medication and monitored, otherwise it will lead to death rather quickly. It is also possible for the infection to ascend to the kidney, which can lead to acute kidney failure. Maple syrup disease must be accompanied by a strict diet, otherwise severe neurological damage can occur in the newborn, which can lead to death.
When should you go to the doctor?
Stinky urine can have a number of causes and usually occurs only for a short time. However, if the foul odor persists for several days, there may be a serious underlying cause that should definitely be clarified by a doctor. If a bladder infection or an allergy is suspected, the symptoms should be discussed promptly with the family doctor. A visit to the doctor is particularly urgent if, in addition to the development of odor, blood or brown deposits can be seen in the urine or pain occurs during urination. This may be due to a urinary tract infection or kidney inflammation, which can lead to further problems if left untreated. Diabetes patients and pregnant women should discuss changes in urine odor with their doctor.Untreated cystitis during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as premature labor. Stinky urine during a diet or after eating asparagus, coffee or garlic is usually harmless and does not require further medical clarification.
Treatment and therapy
After identifying the particular cause of the disease in which foul-smelling urine occurs, appropriate therapy can be given. If foul-smelling urine has a more putrid, decay-like odor, a bacterial infection of the urinary tract or kidney cannot be ruled out. Another cause leading to foul-smelling urine can be the so-called maple syrup disease. In this disease, foul-smelling urine results from a disorder of protein metabolism. The foul-smelling urine is characterized by an odor of maple syrup. Monitoring of protein intake and various other treatment-related measures are performed. To avoid foul-smelling urine due to hyperacidity or acidosis in the presence of excessive sugar levels associated with diabetes mellitus, the patient must be properly adjusted or follow a dietary regimen. This means that to avoid foul-smelling urine in these cases, the concentration of blood glucose must be monitored closely and promptly. This can be adjusted by taking medication or a targeted injection of insulin. If foul-smelling urine occurs on the basis of a chronic loss of kidney function, appropriate therapy must also be administered. If infectious disease of the kidneys, ureters, and/or bladder has been identified, drug treatment with antibiotics may be initiated. If the antibiotic drugs work, the foul-smelling urine will soon disappear. Supportive antispasmodic and analgesic drugs are usually administered. Uncomplicated infections usually respond quickly to this form of treatment. If foul-smelling urine is associated with a bladder infection that is constantly recurring, the urine can be converted to an acidic pH using special active substances. The acidic environment causes bacterial germs to die in foul-smelling urine. These drugs are called preventive antibiotics and may be useful in cases of permanent foul-smelling urine after a thorough diagnosis. To cope with foul-smelling urine in bacterial disease of the urinary tract, various natural substances such as tannins in cranberry juice and extracts of bearberry leaves in tea are also helpful.
Outlook and prognosis
It is quite difficult to give an accurate prognosis or outlook for foul-smelling urine, as this symptom can indicate different medical conditions. If asparagus or garlic was consumed, strong smelling urine is completely normal. Even without medical treatment, this symptom will disappear on its own within 24 hours. Another and also very common cause of smelly urine is a urinary tract infection. This is noticeable by the said odor, as well as by stabbing pain when urinating. If such an infection remains without medical treatment, it can lead to serious secondary diseases. In the worst case, there is an inflammation and the formation of pus. In this case, the bacteria can spread throughout the body, so that the human immune system is completely weakened. Nausea, fever or chills are the result. However, with medical treatment, a urinary tract infection can be treated very quickly and successfully.
Prevention
Stinky UTI can be prevented by taking care to maintain good health. This is especially true of the kidneys and the urinary tract. To avoid foul-smelling urine, various foods and some medications can be avoided if possible.
What you can do yourself
For the natural treatment of smelly urine, various home remedies and measures are available. First, drink plenty of fluids so that possible pathogens are flushed out quickly. Bladder and kidney teas as well as water and unsweetened juices have proven particularly effective. In addition, a diary should be kept in which the occurrence and possible causes of the foul-smelling urine are recorded. A urine sample can be prepared before visiting the doctor to facilitate the subsequent diagnosis.If the symptoms are due to cystitis, warmth and bed rest help to speed up recovery. A poultice with Swedish bitters relaxes the muscles of the bladder and can therefore accelerate healing. Medicinal plants such as birch leaves, goldenrod herb and hawthorn root have a decongestant effect and help flush out pathogens in the event of a urinary tract infection. In the field of hydrotherapy, a rising sitz bath is recommended for foul-smelling urine. Accompanying this, Schuessler salts No. 3 and No. 9 can be used to alleviate an underlying infection. Stinky urine after eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages can be effectively treated by a change in diet. It is also possible that there is underlying acidosis or a diabetic condition, which should be clarified by a physician.
